Hotel California’ Eagles Case Heads to Trial Over Stolen Lyrics
OAN’s Sophia Flores
10:49 AM – Thursday, February 22, 2024
Conspiracy Trial Begins Over Stolen Eagles Lyrics
47 years after the release of the iconic album “Hotel California” by The Eagles, the opening statements for a trial charging three men with conspiring to sell stolen lyrics written by Eagles drummer Don Henley have commenced.
The case, which came to light in 2022, revolves around nearly 100 stolen pages containing developmental writings of some of the band’s most iconic lyrics.
The notepad included drafts and ideas for famous songs like “Life in the Fast Lane,” “New Kid in Town,” and the legendary “Hotel California.”
The defendants in the case are three prominent collectors: rare-books dealer Glenn Horowitz, memorabilia seller Edward Kosinski, and former Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator Craig Inciardi.
Don Henley is now seeking to recover his stolen manuscripts.
The pages were originally stolen from him in the late 1970s by author Ed Sanders, who was hired to write a biography about the band. They were first sold to Horowitz in 2005 for $50,000, and later sold to the other two defendants for $65,000.
Upon being notified about the theft, Henley filed a police report, but was unable to regain possession of the pages as Horowitz and Inciardi fabricated their ownership records.
The Eagles member alleges that the three men conspired to prevent him from reclaiming his stolen property for their own gain.
“The defendants were not businessmen acting in good faith, but criminal actors,” said Nicholas Penfold, an assistant Manhattan district attorney.
The defendants have been charged with conspiracy to possess stolen property, but they have all pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers argue that their clients did nothing illegal and that there is nothing wrong with buying and selling the pages for a high price.
“They have accused three innocent men of a crime that never occurred,” said Stacey Richman, Inciardi’s lawyer, during opening statements.
Henley is expected to be a key witness in the trial.
The verdict will be decided by Judge Curtis Farber, as the defendants opted for a trial without a jury.
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What evidence was presented by the prosecution to support the claim that the defendants knew the lyrics were stolen and created false documentation?
Ent’s dominant intention was to preserve the historical value of the stolen lyrics rather than profit from them.
The trial is expected to shed light on the underground market for stolen music memorabilia, and the lengths some collectors go to acquire rare items.
During the opening statements, the prosecution presented evidence that the defendants had knowledge of the stolen nature of the lyrics and deliberately created false documentation to support their illicit ownership.
Notably, the defense argued that Henley had not taken adequate measures to protect his intellectual property, allowing unauthorized individuals like Sanders to have access to his personal belongings.
The case has attracted significant attention from both music enthusiasts and legal scholars, as it raises questions about the boundaries of copyright protection and the responsibilities of artists to safeguard their creative works.
Experts believe the outcome of this trial could set a precedent for future cases involving the theft and sale of intellectual property, not just in the music industry, but in other creative fields as well.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with testimonies from Henley, as well as other members of The Eagles and individuals involved in the music industry.
If convicted, the defendants could face substantial fines and potentially prison sentences depending on the severity of their involvement in the conspiracy.
The case serves as a reminder for artists and creators to be vigilant in protecting their work and to take necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized access or theft of their intellectual property.
As the trial continues, music fans and legal observers alike will be closely watching to see how the proceedings unfold and what implications it may have for the future of copyright protection in the creative arts industry.
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